BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – Six of Canada’s top female Midget teams have qualified for the 2018 Esso Cup, Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, set for April 22-28 in Bridgewater, N.S.

The host team, Metro Boston Pizza, will welcome five regional champions – Atlantic (Northern Selects), Ontario (Brampton Canadettes), Quebec (Pionnières de Lanaudière), Pacific (St. Albert Slash), and West (Saskatoon Stars) – to the 1,196-seat Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre.

“We’re excited to have all six teams qualified as we continue our final preparations for the 2018 Esso Cup,” said Kevin Benjamin, co-chair of the local host committee. “Our volunteers have been working tirelessly with just under one week left before the championship begins. The entire community is looking forward to a competitive tournament and showcasing all that Bridgewater has to offer.”

Ticket packages are available for purchase online now at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets for $75, which includes one general admission ticket to all 19 Esso Cup games. As with all of Hockey Canada’s national championships, all net proceeds from ticket sales remain in the host community as a legacy to support programs that foster the growth of hockey.

Organizers of the 2018 Esso Cup have also announced day-pass price options for the national championship that allow purchasers to take in all games scheduled for that day. Tickets for one day of preliminary-round action (April 22-26) will cost $15, while tickets for both semifinals on April 27 will cost $20. Fans can also purchase a day pass for the medal round on April 28 for $30. Single-game tickets are available for purchase for the preliminary round ($10 per game), semifinals ($15 per game), and the bronze- and gold-medal games ($20 per game). All single-day and single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre box office, or online at HockeyCanada.ca/Tickets.

Historically, the event has generated more than $1 million in local economic impact, with the event proceeds being directed to supporting female hockey development in the community.

Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Award

Hockey Canada has worked with long-time partner Esso to ensure the Esso Cup is a celebration of female hockey excellence.

As part of this year’s tournament awards, Mackenna Parker will be honoured with the 2018 Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Award.

Parker, captain of the Saskatoon Stars of the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League, was named the 2017-18 SFMAAAHL Hayley Wickenheiser MVP. The Clavet, Sask., native also collected the Kelly Bechard Top Scorer award, recording 33 goals and 27 assists for 60 points in 23 games, and currently ranks second in SFMAAAHL all-time scoring. Parker represented Canada at the 2017 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship, winning a bronze medal in Dmitrov, Russia.

For more information on the Esso Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/EssoCup or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.